The Journey Within: Transforming Ire into Benevolence and Mastering Inner Self

Show Notes
Transcript

Have you ever endured a challenge so annoying that it left a lasting impression on your approach to life? This episode unfolds an inspiring story about Rav Yisrael Salanter and his transformative encounter with an aggravating fellow passenger on a train journey. The narrative goes beyond a simple tale; it opens up a discussion about the significant influence of our actions on our thoughts and emotions.

Join us as we explore the idea that actions are not just responses but powerful tools to reshape our internal landscapes. Rav Yisrael's choice to assist the person who tested his patience teaches us a valuable lesson in modifying our feelings through deliberate acts of kindness. We'll dissect how initiating positive action can ultimately foster inspiration and lead to personal growth rather than waiting for inspiration to strike before taking action. This story isn't just about Rav Yisrael; it's about us and the extraordinary potential we have to master new skills and improve ourselves by simply taking the first step.

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Transcript

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There's an amazing story that they tell about the great Rev Yisrael Solanter that he was once traveling on a train and he was stuck next to a rather pesky and bothersome fellow.

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The man was seemingly out to give Rev Yisrael Solanter the train ride from Gahanim.

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He first bothered Rev Yisrael and would tell him oh, open the window because I'm burning hot before.

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He would then go and ask Rev Yisrael, close it, I'm freezing.

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You.

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Would step on Rev Yisrael's feet purposely spill drinks.

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And when the train ride was over he spoke with a fellow.

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After treating him still nicely the entire ride, he said what are you doing in the city?

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Why are you traveling?

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The fellow said well, I'm actually coming to get Smiha on a part of Torah and I'm hoping that I'll pass the test in the city and I'll take my diploma, my Smiha, back home with me.

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And later on Rev Yisrael met the same fellow, asked him how the Smiha course went.

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The fellow said well, it didn't actually go as planned.

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I didn't pass, didn't go so well.

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Rev Yisrael then arranged to have a special tutor to help this gentleman the same gentleman who bothered him so he would be able to teach the information to him the proper way, so he would be able to go retake the test and pass the Smiha, receive rabbinic ordination.

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And when asked why Rev Yisrael went out of his way to do this for the fellow, he said well, I'll dem nifal kifipu lo-suf.

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We know that a person, his insides, his thought processes, they change based on what he does.

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And I'm scared that maybe I have some sort of tina, some sort of deep-rooted, mixed emotions about the fellow, after he did give me the worst train ride ever.

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So if I go and be make tif to him, I do good for him.

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It will rewire my brain and teach me and eradicate the negative feelings, supplanting them with positive feelings towards him.

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Really the opposite of what many of us would do.

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The magic of adham nifal kifipu lo-suf is never ending.

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How many mitzvahs and how many character traits can we improve on?

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Not by rethinking things, but jumping into action, engaging in and embracing the physical actions of the mitzvah and of mitzvahs, of forcing ourselves to do it, in order that we can actually bring a change of heart inside of our heart about a fellow, about a topic, about a mitzvah.

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A shocking insight, a brand new revelation If you're looking to master something or do something better, before you try to wait for the inspiration to kick in.

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You should first do it, take action and watch the inspiration follow.

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